Fun Summer Activity Ideas for Daycare

Water Fun

• Water activities are great ways for children to cool off and have fun. If you have an outdoor space, set up a garden sprinkler and let the children interact with it. Water fun works best when done in a freestyle manner where daycare providers can meet the needs of each individual child, since some children will be more comfortable getting wet than others. Many will choose to run in an out independently while some will choose a partner; others may set up a race to and through the sprinkler, and some may only want to get their hands or feet wet without fully immersing. If you have a kiddie pool fill it with water, too, and place it in the vicinity. Use spray bottles and fill water balloons for even more fun. If you don't have a yard, check with your local park or playground for sprinkler locations.

Bubbles

• Blowing bubbles can provide great summertime fun for young children in daycare. Set up a bubble machine to blow bubbles continuously. Bubble solutions in 4 oz. bottles with wands are also available at most discount stores. Give individual bottles to older children to blow themselves. Younger children may enjoy you blowing the bubbles at them so they can chase and pop them. Do a craft project in your facility beforehand by cutting drinking straws and then taping them back together to create a personalized bubble wand to blow bubbles (for the older children who won't suck up the solution).

Shaving Cream

• A great way to appease children's sensory interests is with shaving cream. Set up a table outdoors and spray generous amounts of shaving cream on it. Let the children run their hands through it, rub it on themselves and rub it on each other. If there is a window that is accessible to their height, have them rub their hands and shaving cream on the window glass to make patterns and designs. You can add food coloring to make it interesting. Make sure the shaving cream does not contain menthol, which can cause eyes to burn.

Start a Garden

• Children love playing in dirt, so use the summer to start a children's garden. Have the children dig in the soil with their hands or with miniature shovels. Search for earthworms and talk to the children about their habitat. Plant seeds or seedlings and water them regularly. As your garden blooms throughout the summer you can come out regularly with the children and pick flowers, herbs or vegetables.

Play Ball

• Introduce a simple sport to your daycare with a large ball. Choose a home base such as a large tree. Throw the ball and have your youngsters go after the ball and catch it. Have the adults chase them to the tree where they are safe. Give them lots of praise for a job well done. Then take the ball and repeat the process. Having big colorful balls with multiple children and adults acting at once would work best. Young children do not like to wait for extended periods for another child to finish with the ball before its their turn.

Visit your local library

• If the summer heat is too strong for prolonged outdoor activity, take your daycare on a field trip to your air-conditioned public library's children's room. Check for story time hours or arrange for you or your staff to form a circle on the floor and read to them.